Belgrade Media Report 28 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Kurti was not ready (B92)
• Continuation of talks between Belgrade, Pristina on 18 March in North Macedonia (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic: From 9 pm I will respond to all the lies, we will protect and defend Serbia (RTS)
• Brnabic: EU’s credibility rests upon implementation of Community (Tanjug/RTS)
• Drecun: We know our red lines, important news from Brussels is different interpretations of what happened (RTS)
• Borrell: Vucic, Kurti agreed no further discussions needed on EU proposal (Tanjug/RTS)
• Hill: US remains active in the normalization of relations (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Schmidt suspends RS Law on Immovable Property (FTV)
• Dodik on Schmidt’s decision on Law on Immovable Property (Al Jazeera)
• Kovacevic on Schmidt’s decision: RS property belongs to the RS exclusively (ATV/RTRS)
• Cvijanovic on Schmidt’s decision: Interventions of any foreigners in B&H are unacceptable (RTRS)
• Viskovic: Schmidt’s decision represents the most serious attack on RS Constitution (BHT1)
• Stevandic: RS will apply what RS parliament adopts and not Schmidt (RTRS)
• Dzaferovic: HR’s decision is important, otherwise the RS would be registered as owner of state property (Hayat)
• Dodik congratulates RS citizens on 31st anniversary of adoption of first Constitution of RS (ATV)
Montenegro
• Constitutional Court unblocked: Armenko, Djuranovic and Tesic judges, Resulbegovic not supported (CdM)
• Djukanovic: Conditions created for Constitutional Court to return functionality and be a guarantor of constitutional order (CdM)
• Abazovic: I’m sorry that the fourth candidate for Constitutional Court judge didn’t receive DPS’ support (CdM)
• Abazovic: Informal OB meeting planned for MNE; Rama: No Chinese, Russians, Martians or Germans should be seen behind OB (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Parliament elects new ministers (All media)
• Kovachevski: Association of Albanian Municipalities proposal frivolous, unacceptable (Sitel/Telma)
• Penov: Demand for Association of Albanian municipalities an attempt to score political points (Sitel)
• Ibrahimi: The Association of Albanian Municipalities is my personal position, not the party’s one (TV21/Sloboden pechat)
Albania
• Elections/ OSCE ambassador: “You have rules, written and unwritten, use them with maturity” (RTSH)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 28, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Government press release on high-level meeting in Brussels (media)
• Osmani: Brussels meeting was a positive moment, but Assembly has the last word (Klan)
• Rama: No one should accuse Kurti of treason; he did the right thing! (Telegrafi)
• “No autonomy” – Bislimi asked about Association at EP committee (Nacionale)
• Gervalla: I see no reason why Spain should not recognise us (media)
• Mandl meets Bislimi and Bajrami, “there remains a long path to go” (Lajmi)
• Von Cramon: This plan will unblock EU membership perspective (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• EU spokesperson: The aim of the dialogue is the normalization of relations, not mutual recognition (Beta, N1)
• Vucic: We will continue talks, EU expects something by March 24 (N1)
• Drecun: We know our red lines; important news from Brussels are different interpretations of what happened (RTS)
• Petkovic: The CSM (ZSO) will not be a non-governmental organisation (RTS)
• Starovic: Nothing has been signed, but also nothing has been rejected in Brussels (RTV, Tanjug)
• Bogdanovic revealed to N1 what is written in the road map that was discussed in Brussels (N1)
• Tadic: Importance of ZSO inflated in order to present defeat in Brussels as victory (Danas, BETA)
• Serbian opposition politicians harshly criticise Vucic over developments in Brussels (media)
• Vucic: Difficult, successful struggle in Brussels, I will respond to all lies (N1)
Opinion:
• A promising day in Brussels, to be followed by non-euphoric days (Koha)
• On the European proposal/agreement: What was (not) lost in translation (KoSSev)
International:
• No Signatures for Big Deal in Brussels, yet (Prishtina Insight)
• Euroactiv: Mixed reactions from Belgrade, Pristina following normalisation of relations meeting
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 28, 2023
• Serbia, Kosovo leaders back EU plan, top diplomat says (AP)
• Borrell: Kurti, Vucic agreed is no need for further talks on EU plan (media)
• Kurti: I did not sign today, as Vucic was not ready (media)
• Vucic: I insisted for Kosovo to form Association, Kurti refused (Albanian Post)
• EU Proposal – Agreement on path to normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Prior to Borrell, Kurti and Vucic met separately with Escobar (media)
• Abdixhiku: Kurti only has to agree on date of forming Association (media)
• Krasniqi: Kosovo lost recognition, gained association (media)
• Haradinaj: Accepting the French-German plan, a great achievement (media)
• PSD to organise anti-government protest because of Association (media)
• Pacolli: Two big countries will recognise Kosovo soon (Euronews Albania)
• Berlin Process Summit to take place in Tirana (Albanian Daily News)
Belgrade Media Report 27 February 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 27 February 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: There will be no capitulation or return to 1990s (Tanjug/RTS)
• New round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina: What will be on the table? (Tanjug)
• Vucic says ready to work on implementation of European plan for Kosovo with clear limitations (RTS/Beta/RTV/Politika)
• US expects leaders of Kosovo, Serbia to take constructive approach in Brussels (Beta)
• Brnabic: Continuation of dialogue in Brussels will not be easy (Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
• EU, US: Vucic, Kurti should develop European plan (Beta)
• Dacic: Many unaware of difficulty of Brussels meeting (Tanjug/Politika)
• Acceptance of EU plan would mean acceptance of Community – EU official (Tanjug/Politika/Danas)
• Brnabic: Great potential for improving economic cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina (Tanjug/RTV)
• UNHCR important partner of Serbia in humanitarian protection of refugees (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Zvizdic announces that ‘The Troika’ will submit motion for contesting Law on Immovable Property of RS (FTV)
• Viskovic: Property is sanctity to us, no one from RS will give up on that (Srna)
• Reactions from RS keep on coming regarding Konakovic’s behavior regarding Resolution on Ukraine (ATV)
• RS parliament delegation sums up impressions from visit to Russia: Moscow understands our neutrality (Glas Srpske)
• Komsic addresses celebration of B&H Independence Day in Austria (Oslobodjenje)
• Kalabukhov will not be invited to celebration of Independence Day (Avaz)
• Dodik: The OHR should be closed down (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Seven presidential candidacies submitted, DIK has confirmed 3 so far (RTCG)
• Djukanovic: My presidential candidacy is an act of responsibility towards Montenegro, the goal is to win the first round (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Alternativa wants to unite the parties of the Albanians for a common cause formation of Community of Albanian municipalities (Telma TV)
• SDSM, DUI and “Alliance for Albanians” categorically rejected Alternativa initiative, and the smaller parties also expressed similar opinions (All media)
• Osmani meets diaspora representatives in New York and New Jersey (Republika)
Albania
• Intergovernmental meeting in Podgorica/ 11 agreements signed between the Albanian and Montenegrin governments (Radio Tirana)
• Abazovic: Albania-Montenegro relations, an example for the region (Radio Tirana)
• Albania-Kosovo, cooperation in guaranteeing citizens’ rights (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Kosovo-Serbia agreement possible before end of year (media)
• State Department: EU proposal, good opportunity for Kosovo and Serbia (RFE)
• Stano: We cannot predict the result, but parties must make compromises (Koha)
• Sarrazin on the European plan: A strong signal for Kosovo and Serbia (Klan)
• Kearns: Why are you looking for entrenchment of ethnic territoriality in Kosovo (Koha)
• Bieber: There is risk of imbalanced agreement (Gazeta Express/Der Standard)
• Mandl: It’s time for an agreement (RTK)
• Rama: French-German plan, the best one proposed so far (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• There will be no capitulation, no return to the nineties, says Vucic prior to Brussels trip (media)
• Hill ahead of the meeting in Brussels: I can’t say that I expect quick results, Escobar in Brussel (RTS, Tanjug, N1, nova.rs)
• PM Brnabic expects difficult talks in Brussels: It won’t be easy, red lines are clear (FoNet, N1)
• Vucevic: Vucic will almost certainly be under pressure to sign the proposal for Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio, TV Pink, Beta, N1)
• Serbian opposition leaders on Franco-German proposal, meeting in Brussels today (N1, FoNet, media)
• Fatherland: By accepting proposal Serbia opens path for Kosovo to join NATO, creates foundations of “Greater Albania” (KoSSev)
• Stano: Today’s meeting is not last one, Belgrade and Pristina to take step by step (Kosovo Online)
• Serb families robbed in Donja Brnjica (Kosovo Online, Radio KIM)
• Kamberi: A delegation of Albanians from Bujanovac, Medvedja and Presevo in Washington today (FoNet, Danas, Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
Opinion:
• Serwer: How to assess a Pristina/Belgrade agreement (peacefare.net)
• Possible consequences of adoption of Franco-German plan: Recognition? ASM? Withdrawal of bases? Hope? (KoSSev)
International:
• Belgrade-Pristina deal possible by end of year, Kosovo PM Kurti says (Euractiv)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 27, 2023
• Serbia, Kosovo leaders to meet about plan to relations on normal footing (RFE)
• Borrell to meet Kurti and Vucic separately, followed by joint meeting (KSP)
• Opposition parties say Kurti will sign Association (Koha)
• Chollet talks to Kurti and Vucic ahead of Brussels meeting (media)
• PSD to hold action in front of govt building before Brussels meeting (media)
• Serbia won’t budge on Kosovo independence ahead of Brussels meet (Euractiv)
• Kosovo media, and regulators, failing on privacy protection (BIRN)
• Kosovo to probe football match fixing claims after French arrests (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 24 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Lajcak: I expect Belgrade and Pristina to accept the European plan on Monday (Tanjug)
• State Department announced – Message to Serbia: Accept the proposal (Tanjug)
• On the eve of a new round of negotiations – the European plan on the table, the red lines known (RTS)
• Simic: The President will strongly insist on the ZSO in Brussels (RTS)
• Defense Minister: Security situation in Kosovo challenging, complex and difficult (Beta)
• Vucevic: Vucic won’t recognize Kosovo (TV Prva)
• Movement: Constitutional Court needs to rule on agreement on Kosovo (Beta)
• Opposition representative: Opposition running from Vucic, not agreement on Kosovo (Danas)
• Putin moves to the issue of the so-called Kosovo – he announced everything? (B92)
• Anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine to be marked in Serbia (Beta)
• Serbia backs UN resolution calling for withdrawal of Russian troops (Beta)
• Borrell criticizes Serbia over lack of alignment with EU foreign policy (Beta)
• Serbia introduces sanctions against Congo (Tanjug)
• Pro-European opposition parties write to Bilcik and Nemec asking for expansion of European parliamentary mission (Beta)
• Vucic met with Konakovic (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Kosovo Parliament ratifies agreement signed by Western Balkans countries in Berlin (N1)
• Dodik threatens to put end to state-level coalition due to UN resolution on Ukraine (O kanal)
• B&H Presidency Chairwoman Cvijanovic sends letter criticizing B&H FM Konakovic’s instructions to B&H Permanent Mission to UN on endorsing resolution regarding peace in Ukraine; Comments by Konakovic, Alkalaj (BHT1)
• RS President Dodik says B&H Presidency, B&H Parliament and B&H CoM have not formally passed any decision to impose sanctions against Russia (ATV)
• Borenovic demands clear information from EU whether B&H introduced sanctions against Russia; Kovacevic: Borenovic and the whole RS opposition should answer to RS citizens what is their positions on sanctions against Russia (BN TV)
• West and Sarajevo pressure RS to join sanctions against Russia; Kalabukhov says B&H did not introduce sanctions against Russia (RTRS)
• B&H Council of Ministers appoints Almir Dzuvo as new OSA Director (Nova BH)
• SDA MP Mehmedovic: Dzuvo’s appointment is illegal; Majority in FB&H Parliament will make final decision on who will appoint new Government (O kanal)
• Two meetings scheduled for Friday focusing on election of FB&H President (Dnevni avaz)
• Dunovic: FB&H HoR may decide on new FB&H President next week if three of them fail to agree (FTV)
Croatia
• PM Plenkovic: Invasion in 2022 is a continuation of what Russia started in 2014 (Hina)
• Grlic Radman at the UN: Let’s not have Ukraine wait long for freedom like Croatia did (HRT)
• Secret task force formed; If it is so, Serbia will be drawn into the war with Russia (Index.hr)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: A year of indescribable suffering, but also a dignified and determined fight, Montenegro stands firmly with Ukraine (CDM)
• DPS to choose its presidential candidate today (CDM)
• Europe Now: Jakov Milatovic, candidate for President of Montenegro (CDM)
• Konakovic and Abazovic meet in Podgorica, emphasize that Montenegro and BiH do not have open political issues (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Human suffering in Ukraine must stop, Osmani tells UNGA (MIA)
• Parliament votes to dismiss ministers Sali, Aliti and Cupi, heated exchange between PS Xhaferi and VMRO-DPMNE MP Janushev (MIA)
• Micevski: Creation of parliamentary majority not based on principles (Republika)
• DUI MP Ademi says VMRO-DPMNE sabotages Albanians (Republika)
• Grubi to VMRO-DPMNE: Let’s first vote for constitutional amendments, then for dissolution of parliament and early elections (Telma)
• Rexhepi: There is no theoretical possibility for constitutional changes to happen (Alsat-M)
Albania
• 1 year of war in Ukraine, Rama message from Hiroshima: Russia cannot win the war (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj: Albania in support of the Ukrainian people (Radio Tirana)
• Hohmann: The EU is committed to changing the lives of Albanians (Radio Tirana)
• Rama for ‘Nikkei Asia‘ in Tokyo “Albania sees ‘zero’ benefits from China’s ’17+1′ but will stay” (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 24, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• The agreement for “IPA 2023” is signed, Kosovo benefits from 75 million euros (media)
• French ambassador Guerot: Progress is up to Kurti and Vucic (media)
• Turkiye supports Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe and NATO
• Shots fired near Police checkpoint in Zvecan, nine gun cartridges found (Express)
• Tahiri: Osmani, Kurti and Gervalla involved in the Martin Berishaj affair (Reporteri)
• The electricity of Serbs in the north cost Kosovo over 63 million euros in 2022 (Express)
Serbian Language Media:
• N1: “Signals both sides will accept proposal, that automatically means the acceptance of CSM, and de facto recognizing Kosovo” (Nova.rs, NMagazin)
• The US expects Vucic and Kurti to be constructive regarding the European proposal (VoA, media)
• The KFOR commander denied Kurti regarding Wagner’s presence in Kosovo (Danas, FoNet, KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Lajcak to Tanjug: I expect both sides to accept European plan on Monday (media)
• EU High Representative Borrell address to public on the eve of the anniversary of war in Ukraine (KoSSev)
• Serbia backs UN resolution calling for withdrawal of Russian troops (Beta, N1, NMagazin, KoSSev)
• Defense Minister: Vucic will not give up on the “red lines” (Beta, TV Prva, N1)
• Simic: The President will strongly insist on the CSM (ZSO) in Brussels (RTS)
International:
• EU’s Miroslav Lajcak reveals insider details of French-German Agreement ahead of historic Brussels talks (thepavlovictoday.com)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 24, 2023
• Lajcak: Plan will not be negotiated, it is “take it or leave it” (media)
• EU expects Kurti and Vucic to accept proposal on Monday (media)
• Approval of Berlin Process agreement will aid regional integration, benefit Kosovo, experts say (Prishtina Insight)
• Szunyog, Rohde commend Assembly for ratifying agreements (media)
• Who is preventing Serbs in Kosovo from applying for government aid? (RFE)
• Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss developments in Kosovo and region (media)
• Kosovo’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Greece (RTK)
• Pacolli implies two new recognitions of Kosovo (media)
Belgrade Media Report 23 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: We remain with the red lines on Kosovo issues in Brussels on Monday (RTS/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Kosovo and Metohija top security issue for Serbia (Tanjug/RTV/RTS/Politika)
• Brnabic: Economic relations between Serbia, US on upscale (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Upgrading political, economic cooperation with US (RTV/Tanjug)
• NADA: Foreign investors not to leave Serbia if it refuses plan for Kosovo (Beta)
• Janjic: Vucic not to travel to Brussels unless Community of Serb Municipalitites is on agenda (Beta)
• EEAS: Vucic, Kurti have confirmed they will travel to Brussels (Tanjug)
• Report says media reporting on Ukraine, Russia changing (Beta/N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H Presidency adopts proposal on report of B&H State Border Commission regarding border agreement between B&H and Serbia (FTV)
• B&H Presidency adopts initiative to propose adoption of law on gas at B&H level without Cvijanovic’s consent; Cvijanovic: The RS will not give up on its competence in the field of energy (RTRS)
• Dodik: Agreement on gas interconnection with Serbia should be signed instead of raising the issue of adoption of law on gas at B&H level (Nova BH)
• Cvijanovic: B&H did not impose sanctions against the Russian Federation, regardless of what certain media think about it; B&H CoM: We did not discuss, nor issue any sanctions against Russia (ATV)
• Stevandic: The RS remains neutral and will not join anti-Russian hysteria (RTRS)
• General Assembly of UN in New York, Ukraine resolution as top priority (BHT1)
• B&H CC receives Becirovic’s motion re RS law on immovable property; OHR calls on B&H CC to urgently react in case Law on Immovable Property enters into force (Hayat/FTV)
• RS officials harshly criticize Becirovic’s motion to B&H CC seeking constitutional review of RS Law on Immovable Property (ATV)
• Izetbegovic: HR has strengthened ethnic principle so much instead of turning toward civic, toward something which means normally organized country (BIR TV)
• Lendo: I did not block anything; We wait for Friday to reach agreement on new FB&H government; I will not support Niksic as FB&H PM (Hayat)
• Borrell writes op-ed on occasion of first anniversary since beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine, accuses Russia of violation of international law (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: I hope for better relations between Croatia and B&H, our ambition is for new B&H CoM to agree on key priorities that are clearly stated in context of EU candidate status (HRT1)
• Plenkovic: It is important to abandon the policy of naivety towards Russia (HRT)
• US Ambassador to B&H Murphy says denial of genocide and war crimes and glorification of war criminals are irresponsible and reprehensible (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic expresses his satisfaction that Konakovic is visiting Montenegro, stressing that such quick visit is confirmation of good mutual relations (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• VMRO-DPMNE MP Nikolovski threatens: It is time for the Macedonians to stand up like the Albanians in 2001 (TV21)
• DUI: We condemn the scandalous statements of the VMRO-DPMNE MP, the country is following the European path (Kanal 5)
Albania
• Kishida: Japan will appoint an ambassador for the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Albania with patrol ship in the Mediterranean, 21-Armed Forces personnel part of the NATO operation (Radio Tirana)
• EU 82.6 million Euros to Albania in support of key reforms (Radio Tirana)
• Council of Albanian Ambassadors: Independence Day of Kosovo should be declared an official holiday (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 23, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti on European plan: It will advance Kosovo’s membership in the international system; it contains the de facto recognition (Telegrafi)
• Hoti calls for parliamentary debate before Monday meeting in Brussels (Kosovapress)
• Citaku: Kurti on Monday will sign Association and pledge to give political status to Orthodox Church (media)
• U.S. Ambassador Hovenier’s interview with Klan Kosova
• Eland: Biden will force Serbia to recognise Kosovo independence (media)
• Agreement on recognition of ID cards to be voted in Kosovo and Bosnia today (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
• Lawsuit on expropriation in northern Kosovo filed (Radio KIM)
• Serbian FM Dacic: No new negotiations with Pristina until ZSO is formed (N1)
• Vucic: We will stand by our red lines on Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
• Vucevic: Difficult security situation in Kosovo (RTS, BETA)
• Petkovic: The meeting was organised in the private apartment of a Pristina officer, pure provocation (KoSSev)
• 15 years since Kosovo unilaterally declared independence was marked in Belgrade, and Kurti’s advisor was also present (KoSSev, N1, Danas)
• Mali meets with representatives of top US companies (Tanjug)
International:
• ICMM Forgave Millions of Euros’ Debt of ‘Ferronikeli’ Company (Prishtina Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 23, 2022
• Tahiri: If Kurti travels to Brussels on Monday, he’ll sign agreement (Dukagjini)
• Another name for the Association? (Radio Free Europe)
• SPO searches apartment of Thaci’s former advisor (media)
• Rohde: We will support, advise and criticize you (media)
• Fajon: Kosovo and Serbia should use this momentum (Dukagjini)
• Will Kurti and Vucic reach an agreement? Hoxhaj answers (euronews.al)
• Opposition sends three laws approved by govt to court (Prishtina Insight)
• Kurti, Osmani welcome ambassadors of Japan and Pakistan (media)
• Vokrri: We do not believe there will be an answer from Brnabic (Klan)
• Ristuccia updates contributing nations on operational situation in Kosovo (Klan)
• Kosovo upholds Serb’s conviction of wartime mistreatment of couple (BIRN)
• Kosovo’s ‘Commander Wolf’ claims prosecution fabricated war charges (BIRN)
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